The US Department of Defense announced that the United States has begun developing a modern, more powerful version of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated B61-13. The adoption of B61-13 reflects the current assessment of the changing security environment.

The purpose of the B61-13 is to provide greater capability against larger targets as well as highly fortified facilities such as underground strategic command and control centers.

“B61-13 will leverage existing manufacturing capabilities supporting the B61-12 and incorporate the advanced safety, protection and accuracy features of the B61-12,” the Pentagon said in a press release.

The B61-13 will be delivered with modern aircraft, increasing deterrence against enemies, reassuring allies and partners, and giving the president additional capabilities against some of the more complex and larger military targets.

The B61 is a so-called “yield” design that can be set to detonate with varying degrees of explosive force. This version reportedly peaks at between 340 and 360 kilotons, making it one of the most powerful versions of the B61.

“While the B61-13 will provide the President with additional capabilities against some of the more complex and larger military targets, the Department of Defense will continue its work to finalize and implement a comprehensive strategy to defeat hard-to-reach and deep-seated targets as outlined in the Nuclear Policy Review,” the message said. “As stated.” In a Pentagon bulletin. Source